Two women allegedly gang raped

ABBOTABAD: Two women were allegedly gang raped within the limits of the city, shared the police on Tuesday.

According to Nawansher police, 32-year-old Sofia* and 26-year-old Shandana* – wives of Muhammad Fiaz – left their house for Ilyasi Mosque to buy pakoras on Monday.

After shopping, the two women boarded a Suzuki high-roof to take them back home. However, instead of dropping them at their stop, the driver – later identified as Yasir – allegedly drove them to an uninhabited area in Abbottabad Township. Four men, including two military cops, were allegedly lying in wait for the driver and the women.

“All five men forcibly assaulted us turn by turn and fled the scene after committing the crime which lasted for over an hour,” shared Sofia.

As soon as Sofia and Shandana were able to escape, Sofia called her husband who reached the site with the police.

The accused fled soon after committing the heinous crime, explained Nawansher Station House Officer Fida Khan. However, they were later arrested and charged under PPC sections 376/34 and 354, and were identified as Yasir (the driver), Saqib, Chanzeb, and military cops Ishtiaq and Zamurd.

The rape victims were referred to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad where medical examination proved the sexual assault. The report, however, did not mention any signs of a physical struggle, investigation officer Tariq Khan told The Express Tribune.

All the accused were sent on a three-day physical remand and confessed during interrogation, added Tariq.

Since the interrogation has been completed, the accused will be produced before the court of the judicial magistrate on Wednesday (today), he shared. Responding to a question, Tariq explained local military authorities have extended maximum cooperation in the arrest and investigation of their cops.